Bag hanger

ABSTRACT

A bag hanger is provided for packaging products such as ice, charcoal, onions and like items in bags. The machine is a free standing unit and comprises a magazine for holding a quantity of bags which bags are dispensed one at a time, positioned and opened under a filling spout. Such hanger is installed adjacent to a filling machine (either volumetric or auger type) which drops a premeasured charge of product into the bag, after which the bag is removed for closing in a conventional manner.

Unite Sttes [151 3,3,471 Clark et al. [451 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] BAG HANGER 2,732,989 1/1956 Harker ..53/l87 X [72] Inventors: Kenneth G. Clark, Pennington, N.J

Thomas J. Cook, Kendall Park, N.J.; 52 g fp g McGehee Ernest De pass, Bound 131.99g! 0mey ar es auer NJ.

[57] r a [73 Asslgnee: Union Camp Corporatmn Wayne A bag hanger is provided .for packaging products such as ice, charcoal, onions and like iteins in bags. The machine is a free standing unit and comprises a [22] Flled' 1970 magazine for holding a quantity of bags 'which bags [21] App]. No.: 80,644 are dispensed one at a time, positioned and opened under a filling spout. Such hanger is installed adjacent to a filling machine (either volumetric or auger type) [52] US. Cl ..53/183, 53/386 which drops a premeasured charge f product into the [51] Int. Cl. "365!) 43/18 bag after which the bag is removed for closing in a [58] Field of Search ..5 3/ l 88, 386, 187 conventional mannen [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures R22,434 2/1944 Allen ..53/188 aseaml PNEMEBSEP 5:912

SHEET 4 0F 8 x s e A W m c 1 wa U VH Nam a? A KZF Y n ATTORNEY PTENFEMP 5 m2 SHEET 6 0F 8 FIG. 5

INVENTOR KENNETH G. CLARK THOMAS J: 08K

BY zre/vesr 7r DQ ASS ATTORNEY mm? 5 I972 3' 688.471

sum 7 or 8 FIG. 6

l VENTOR KEN 122 H awe/a filo/-14: J COOK BY E ST r ep/15s ATTORNEY BAG HANGER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved machine for dispensing bags in a suitable manner for filling with a product. The principal object of the invention is to dispense such bags in a continuous, automatic operation. The machine is simple and economical to operate and replaces a hand operation for small limited size operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above and other beneficial objects and advantages are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing a machine adapted to dispense bags ready for filling in a continuous automatic manner. The machine includes a magazine for holding a quantity of bags of the automatic type. Such bags are placed in the magazine with the bottoms of the bags facing toward the feeding mechanism. A vacuum cup system separates such bags and feeds them one at a time into a bag opening device under a filling spout, where the bags are opened for filling. The reciprocating motions are derived from double acting air cylinders and a small electric gear-motor provides the continuous rotary motion. Vacuum is utilized as the bag gripping means. Continuous automatic operation is provided by an electrical control circuit wh monitors and sequences the system. The bag hanger is adapted for use in conjunction with a filling machine of the volumetric or auger type. After the bag has been filled with a premeasured charge the bag is removed for closing in a conventional manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description which is to be taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a somewhat preferred embodiment of the invention in which:

.FIG. 1A is a sideelevation of the machine of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective of some of the main elements of the machine;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation with portions partly broken away;

FIG. 3 is a top plan with portions partly broken away;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional taken along the line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional taken along the line 66 of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 7a through 7f are series of sequential schematics of a bag being opened and filled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 2 a bag magazine 10 which is inclined toward the filling mechanism for gravity advance of the bags. The bags rest on a base plate 11 in vertical position with the bot toms facing the feeding and filling mechanisms. A side guide 12 running along the magazine serves to align the bags in the magazine. A weighted pusher 13, mounted on ball bushings which ride on ways 14, rests against the back of the stack to assure that the bags are fed continually from the magazine to the opening mechanism.

FIGS. 7a through 7f shown sequentially the series of steps in opening and filling the bag as it comes from the magazine. FIG. 7a shows the foremost bag 15 in the magazine and the parts of the mechanism for stripping such bag from the magazine. The stripping is initiated by a sucker 16 which moves inwardly against the bag bottom, grips such bottom, and retracts. This action pulls the bag bottom over stop 17 (FIG. 2) and separates the bag 15 from those following. In the same motion the bottom of the bag is separated slightly from the bag face forming a V 18. A pusher 19 moves downward and enters the V 18 while a separator 20 moves upward behind bag 15, as shown in FIG. 7b. At this stage the sucker 16 has released the bottom of the bag. The action of separator 20 assures the separation of bag 15 from the next following bag. The pusher l9 continues to move downward feeding the bottom edge of the bag into feed rolls 21 continue to feed the bag downward until it comes to rest on table 23 (FIG. 1A) at which point the bag will be opened. FIG. 7d illustrates the bag resting on the table and positioned between suction cups 24. Such suction cups move inwardly to grip the faces of the bag as shown in FIG. 7e. The suction cups then retract, opening the top of the bag so that it is ready for filling as shown in FIG. 7f.

Sucker 16 is affixed to the end of a lever 25 which is afiixed to a shaft 26 (FIGS. 18, 2 and 5). Also affixed to such shaft is a lever 27 to end of which is affixed to the rod of an air cylinder 28, mounted to the frame through bracket 29. This movement of the rod of the air cylinder will serve to rotate the levers 25 and 27 and move the sucker 16 toward and away from the bag bottom as heretofore described. Pusher I9 is affixed to the rod 30a of air cylinder 30 the actuation of which causes pusher 19 to move as heretofore described. Separator 20 is affixed to the rod 31a of an air cylinder 31 (FIGS. 1B, 2 and 5). The rotation of separator 20 is prevented by guide 32. The action of such air cylinder provides the movement of separator 20 as heretofore described.

The feed rolls 21 are driven by a motor not shown through roller chain drive 22 (FIGS. 13, 2 and 5). The shafts of the rolls are interconnected by gearing not shown such that the surface speed of both sets of rolls is the same. The bag being fed from the rolls 21 is guided to a position on the table 23 beneath the filling spout by a plate 33 projecting from the frame (FIG. 2).

The bag opening mechanism is shown in FIGS. 18 and 4. With the bag resting on the table the suction cups 24 are spaced apart with the bag faces between the cups (FIG. 18). One set of cups are mounted on a bar 34 which in turn in affixed to the rod 35a of an air cylinder 35. The second set of cups are mounted on a bar 36 which in turn is affixed to the rod 370 of an air cylinder 37. Also attached to bar 36 is a mechanism for positioning the bag under the filling spout 38. As shown in FIG. 4, plates 39 of this mechanism are spaced for the particular bag being filled. Such plates are adjustably mounted on arms 40a of bell crank 40 so that the spacing can be varied for bags of different width. Arm 40b of bell crank 40 is pivotally attached to arms 41 which are in turn pivotally attached to the frame member 42. As the air cylinder 37 retracts the bar 36, the bell cranks 40 rotate on pivots 43 afiixed to the bar 36. This motion causes the plates 39 to move outwardly when the bar 36 is retracted. The arm 41 have springs 44 attached thereto to assure the positions of the arms 41 and to speed the movement of the mechanism. With the cylinders 35 and 37 in a retracted position, suction cups 24 are separated so that the bag has a clear path in dropping to the table (FIG. 1B). In the first action of cylinders 35 and 37 move inwardly bringing the suction cups into contact with the faces of the bag. During this action the plates 39 swing inwardly to position the bag. In the second action as the cups touch the bag, a vacuum is applied to the cups causing them to grip the bag faces. The cylinders 35 and 37 are retracted causing the suction cups 24 to open the mouth of the bag. During this motion the plates 39 swing outwardly, out of the path of the bag which will have been filled.

After the mouth of the bag has been opened, the filling spout 38 moves downwardly into the said mouth. This is achieved by means of pneumatically operated slide mechanism shown in FIGS. 1B and 2. Said mechanism supports the filling spout and consists of plates 45 which are slideably mounted on the filling chute 47. Pins 46 project from the chute 47 and guide the movement of the plates 45 along the slots 48 in such plates. Motion of this assembly is provided through arms 49 attached to shaft 50 which is rotated by means of crank 51 affixed to rod 52a of air cylinder 52. Springs 53 hold the plate and spout normally in an up position. Vertical motion of this assembly is achieved by the actuation of air cylinder 52.

Downward movement of the filling spout into the mouth of the bag causes the opposite leaves 54 of the spout to open outwardly (FIGS. 18, 2 and 6). This motion is achieved through links 55 which are attached at one end to the leaves 54 and at the other end to the frame. The mounting of the links to the frame can be moved upwardly or downwardly to adjust for bags of different length. The other opposite side leaves 56 are secured to the filling spout by hinges 57 (FIG. 6). The leaves are held in a partially closed position by springs 58 and will move outwardly by the charge of product going into the bag.

The operation of the hanger should be clear from the foregoing description but it will be more apparent from the description of a cycle taking a bag through the machine. The mechanisms of the machine are controlled in their motions by an electrical control system of conventional design. The machine could be designed to cycle in several ways with the one described being an embodiment of those that are possible. For the purposes of this disclosure, the operating cycle will be considered to start with cylinder 37 and the attached pair of suckers 24 extended, with cylinder 30 and attached pusher l9 and cylinder 31 with attached stripper 20 also extended, having just completed the feeding of bag into feed rolls 21.

After suitable time delay, provided by conventional means, pusher l9 and stripper retract and cylinder 35 with attached pair of suckers 24 extends, thus clamping bag 15 between suckers 24 as shown in FIG. 7e. At the same time, cylinder 28 also extends, bringing sucker 16 into contact with the bottom of the next bag in the magazine 10.

After further time delay, during which vacuum is applied to suckers 16 and 24, sucker 16 is retracted, stripping the bag from the magazine and positioning it over feed rolls 21. At the same time, suckers 24 are also retracted, opening the mouth of bag 15, as shown in FIG. 7f. After another short time delay, cylinder 52 extends moving filling spout 38 downward into the open mouth of the bag. The same signal initiating the functions described immediately heretofore cause the charge of product to be released into the bag 15 through the chute 47 and filling spout 38.

After further time delay, stripper 20 extends behind the bag in position over feed rolls 21. The same signal causes vacuum to suckers 24 to be shut off, releasing the filled bag which may then be removed from this machine by any conventional means not shown herein. Vacuum is also removed from sucker 16, releasing the bag 15 about to be fed into feed rolls 21. This same signal also causes filling spout 38 to retract.

Removal of the filled bag actuates a finger switch on the table 23 as the bag slides over it which causes cylinder 37 and the attached pair of suckers 24 to extend and also causes pusher 19 to move downwardly into vee 18 of bag 15, pushing the leading edge of said bag into the feed rolls 21, thus completing one machine cycle.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. A bag hanger for dispensing and opening bags to receive a product in a continuous automatic manner comprising:

a magazine for holding a stack of bags vertically with the bottoms of the bags facing toward the feeding means, said magazine having a stop on the base against which the first bag in the stack rests;

a sucker movable against the bottom of said first bag and adapted to grip such bag, pull it over the stop, and form a V between the bottom and the adjacent face of the bag;

a separator movable upwardly between the bottoms of the first bag and the next bag in the stack;

a pusher movable into the said V to push the bag downwardly;

rotating feed rolls to receive the bag from the pusher and feed it onto a table and into a bag opening device under a filling spout;

a bag opening device for opening the bag; and

means for moving the filling spout into the mouth of the opened bag whereby a charge of product can be deposited into the bag through the filling spout.

2. A bag hanger for dispensing and opening bags ready for filling with a product in a continuous automatic manner comprising:

a frame for supporting various parts of the hanger;

a magazine for holding a stack of bags vertically with the bottoms of the bags facing toward the feeding means the said magazine having a stop on the base against which the first bag in the stack rests;

means for separating one bag at a time from the stack and feeding it onto a table under a filling spout and into a bag opening device, said separating and feeding means including a sucker movable against the bottom of the said bag, to grip such bag, pull it from the stack over the said stop, and form a V between the bottom and adjacent face of the bag, a separator movable upwardly between the bottoms of the first bag and the next bag in the stack, and a pusher movable into the said V to push the first bag downwardly into rotating feed rolls for feeding the bag onto the table;

a bag opening device for opening the said bag;

means for moving the filling spout downwardly into the opened bag, said spout being slideably mounted on a filling chute into which the product is deposited; and

means for depositing the product into the bag through the filling chute and spout.

3. A bag hanger for dispensing and opening bags ready for filling with a product in a continuous automatic manner comprising:

a frame for supporting various parts of the hanger;

a magazine for holding a stack of bags vertically with the bottoms of the bags facing toward the feeding means;

means for separating one bag at a time from the stack and feeding it onto a table under a filling spout and into a bag opening device;

a bag opening device for opening the said bag, the

said opening device including suction cups spaced apart to receive the bag therebetween when the bag is fed from the feeding means, said cups being positioned to move against the opposite faces of the bag, means for moving said suction cups against the said faces of the bag to grip such faces and pull them apart to open the mouth of the bag, and a plate on each side of the device, said plates being spaced approximately the width of the bag and located to position the bag under the filling spout as it is fed onto the table, said suction cups on one face of the bag being affixed to a bar which is interconnected by a bell crank mechanism to the plates, whereby retraction of the bar and suction cups moves the plates outwardly out of the path of a bag which has been filled;

means for moving the filling spout downwardly into the opened bag, said spout being slideably mounted on a filling chute into which the product is deposited; and

means for depositing the product into the bag through the filling chute and spout. 

1. A bag hanger for dispensing and opening bags to receive a product in a continuous automatic manner comprising: a magazine for holding a stack of bags vertically with the bottoms of the bags facing toward the feeding means, said magazine having a stop on the base against which the first bag in the stack rests; a sucker movable against the bottom of said first bag and adapted to grip such bag, pull it over the stop, and form a V between the bottom and the adjacent face of the bag; a separator movable upwardly between the bottoms of the first bag and the next bag in the stack; a pusher movable into the said V to push the bag downwardly; rotating feed rolls to receive the bag from the pusher and feed it onto a table and into a bag opening device under a filling spout; a bag opening device for opening the bag; and means for moving the filling spout into the mouth of the opened bag whereby a charge of product can be deposited into the bag through the filling spout.
 2. A bag hanger for dispensing and opening bags ready for filling with a product in a continuous automatic manner comprising: a frame for supporting various parts of the hanger; a magazine for holding a stack of bags vertically with the bottoms of the bags facing toward the feeding means the said magazine having a stop on the base against which the first bag in the stack rests; means for separating one bag at a time from the stack and feeding it onto a table under a filling spout and into a bag opening device, said separating and feeding means including a sucker movable against the bottom of the said bag, to grip such bag, pull it from the stack over the said stop, and form a V between the bottom and adjacent face of the bag, a separator movable upwardly between the bottoms of the first bag and the next bag in the stack, and a pusher movable into the said V to push the first bag downwardly into rotating feed rolls for feeding the bag onto the table; a bag opening device for opening the said bag; means for moving the filling spout downwardly into the opened bag, said spout being slideably mounted on a filling chute into which the product is deposited; and means for depositing the product into the bag through the filling chute and spout.
 3. A bag hanger for dispensing and opening bags ready for filling with a product in a continuous automatic manner comprising: a frame for supporting various parts of the hanger; a magazine for holding a stack of bags vertically with the bottoms of the bags facing toward the feeding means; means for separating one bag at a time from the stack and feeding it onto a table under a filling spout and into a bag opening device; a bag opening device for opening the said bag, the said opening device including suction cups spaced apart to receive the bag therebetween when the bag is fed from the feeding means, said cups being positioned to move against the opposite faces of the bag, means for moving said suction cups against the said faces of the bag to grip such faces and pull them apart to open the mouth of the bag, and a plate on each side of the device, said plates being spaced approximately the width of the bag and located to position the bag under the filling spout as it is fed onto the table, said suction cups on one face of the bag being affixed to a bar which is interconnected by a bell crank mechanism to the plates, whereby retraction of the bar and suction cups moves the plates outwardly out of the path of a bag which has beEn filled; means for moving the filling spout downwardly into the opened bag, said spout being slideably mounted on a filling chute into which the product is deposited; and means for depositing the product into the bag through the filling chute and spout. 